Encouraging a Healthy Body Image

What Is Body Image?

Body image is the way you feel about your body. Children who have a healthy body
image feel good about their bodies. They are happy with how they look, how their body
moves and grows, and what their body can do. Body image is part of a child's whole
self-image.

Having a good body image helps kids feel confident. It adds to their self-esteem.
Children with a poor body image don't feel good about their body or looks. A poor
body image can take away from a child's self-image. It can lower self-esteem.

A healthy body image grows over time. It starts in babyhood. It builds as kids
grow. It changes when kids go through puberty. It gets shaped by what others say.
At every stage, parents can do things to help support a child's healthy body image.

Body Image in Babies and Toddlers

Babies and toddlers seem naturally happy with their bodies. They love to kick their
feet and play with their toes. They love to squirm and use their bodies to move. Once
they can stand and walk, toddlers feel proud when they can do things "all by myself."

Parents help babies and toddlers feel good about their bodies when they:

give tender care and cuddling

play in ways that let babies move their bodies

play in ways that let toddlers use new skills

show how proud they feel

give plenty of smiles and praise

Body Image in Growing Kids

As kids grow, they can build good feelings about their bodies. Sometimes it shows.
Kids beam with pride when you say how tall they've grown. They smile at themselves
in the mirror. They like how they look in a favorite outfit or new haircut. They want
you to watch how fast they can run. Or see what they can do on a skateboard.

As they grow, kids may compare themselves with other kids. They want to feel good
about how they look. They want to be able to do what other kids can do. When they
feel good about how they measure up, it builds their body image.

To help kids build a healthy body image, parents can:

teach them about their body

help them take care of their body

say nice things about how kids look

let kids show you what they can do

show them you're proud of what they can do

be active with kids

have kids be active every day

Body Image in Puberty and Beyond

Kids' bodies change as they go through puberty.
The way they feel about their body may change too. Some kids are excited to look like
an older kid. Others feel shy about their changing body. It can take time to get used
to a body that looks and feels different.

Puberty doesn't happen at the same time for everyone. Some kids develop early.
They may feel awkward at first. Or they may feel proud to look more mature. Some kids
go through puberty later. Some feel OK about it, while others can't wait to catch
up with their friends.

It's normal for girls to have a little
extra body fat when they go through puberty. But this causes some girls to worry about
their weight.

Preteens and teens may care a lot about how they look. They may try out new looks
and styles. They may dress to fit in or to stand out.

They may focus too much on what they don't like about their looks. Boys may wish
they had more muscles. Girls may wish they had more curves, or fewer curves. Being
too self-critical can hurt a teen's body image.

To help teens have a healthy body image, parents can:

say nice things about how they look

allow them to try new looks and styles

avoid criticizing how a teen looks

make sure teens get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet

make sure teens are active every day

Can Teasing Affect a Kid's Body Image?

Some kids get teased, bullied, or shamed
about their body or looks. This can make kids feel deeply hurt. It can harm their
body image and their self-esteem.

If this is happening, parents can:

take steps to stop the teasing or bullying

help their child repair the hurt feelings and shame

They can do this by talking and listening to their child. If it’s needed,
they can get more help for their child from a counselor or therapist.
A child's body image can change for the better, even if it's been hurt.

Can Having a Health Condition Affect a Kid's Body Image?

Some health conditions prevent kids from doing what other kids can do. Some affect
how a kid looks, moves, or grows, or how active they can be.

But having a health condition doesn't mean a kid can't have a healthy body image.
A healthy body image comes from accepting your body, liking it, and taking care of
it. Even when there are things kids can't do, they can feel good about what they can
do.

What Else Can Parents Do to Help?

Remember to be a good body image role model. Be active every day. Eat a healthy
diet. Talk about your own body in positive ways. Accept you own body, and take good
care of it. Kids will pick up on this and do the same for themselves.